Weep screed

ABSTRACT

A weep screed includes a mounting flange, a moisture collector carried by the mounting flange and a moisture dissipation element carried on the moisture collector. The weep screed is characterized by the moisture collector being recessed relative to the moisture dissipation element so as to provide a space adjacent the moisture dissipation element for receiving exterior wall construction materials overlying an exterior wall construction material backing portion of the moisture collector.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/647,752, entitled WEEP SCREED, filed Dec. 29, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates generally to the building construction field and, more particularly, to a weep screed that is attached along the base of a building structure to allow for the drainage of moisture that may be trapped within the exterior wall finish. It may also include a flashing flange that will prevent moisture from entering between the structure and a foundation underlying the structure.

BACKGROUND

Exterior wall finishes of buildings constructed from materials such as stucco, brick, manufactured stone and the like are typically porous and allow water to permeate through the exterior surface to an underlying moisture barrier such as tar paper or moisture-impermeable building paper. Weep screeds are attached near the bottom of the exterior wall so as to provide a moisture barrier between the exterior surface material and the foundation underlying the structure. More particularly, moisture that permeates the exterior wall is drawn downwardly by gravity where it collects on a protruding portion of the weep screed. The weep screed projects through the exterior wall above the finished grade so as to allow this moisture to be dissipated.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,932 to Melchiori discloses a weep screed including a mounting or attachment flange and an outwardly projecting water dissipation flange. When properly installed, the water dissipation flange projects outwardly beyond the exterior wall construction material. Another prior art weep screed is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2006/0254169 A1 to McFadden. This weep screed includes a substantially v-shaped debridge. When properly mounted the debridge projects outwardly through the exterior wall construction material and is exposed to allow dissipation of moisture.

It should be appreciated that weep screeds of the prior art such as disclosed in the Melchiori and McFadden references produce a continuous horizontal penetration P that creates a visual break in the exterior wall of the building (see FIG. 5). Such a visual break is particularly unnatural and undesirable when the exterior wall finish construction material comprises a non-courseable stone such as round stone that is laid in a random pattern. The present invention relates to a weep screed that eliminates the continuous horizontal penetration to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, a weep screed is provided for dissipating moisture behind an exterior wall finish made from construction material. The weep screed comprises a mounting flange, a moisture collector carried by the mounting flange and a moisture dissipation element carried on the moisture collector. The weep screed is characterized by the moisture collector being recessed relative to the moisture dissipation element so as to provide a space adjacent the moisture dissipation element for receiving exterior wall construction material overlying and backed by at least a portion of the moisture collector.

In one possible embodiment the moisture dissipation element of the weep screed is a projecting tab on the moisture collector. The moisture collector and the projecting tab may include both a moisture impervious layer and a moisture wicking layer. The mounting flange and moisture collector define an included angle of between about 30° and about 150° and more typically about 90°.

In another embodiment the moisture collector comprises an open top trough. That trough includes a bottom wall and a drain hole. The moisture dissipation element is received and held in the drain hole. The weep screed may further include a mortar stop closing the open top of the trough. The mortar stop is made from a water pervious material.

In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention the weep screed may be defined as comprising a mounting flange, a continuous, recessed moisture collector carried by the mounting flange and a discontinuous moisture dissipation element projecting outwardly from the moisture collector.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for enhancing the appearance of an exterior wall by eliminating a continuous horizontal penetration characteristic of prior art weep screeds. The method comprises the step of providing a weep screed with a recessed moisture collector and spaced, projecting moisture dissipation elements wherein the recessed moisture collector is covered by the exterior wall construction materials between the spaced, projecting moisture dissipation elements.

In the following description there is shown and described several different embodiments in the invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the weep screed of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematical cross sectional view illustrating an exterior wall construction incorporating the weep screed illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 a is a schematical detailed top plan view illustrating a non-courseable stone in the space between the two projecting tabs of the weep screed as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the weep screed of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematical cross sectional view illustrating an exterior wall construction incorporating the second embodiment of the weep screed illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating an exterior wall constructed with a weep screed of prior art design that produces a continuous horizontal penetration or break;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an exterior wall incorporating the weep screed of the present invention which eliminates the unsightly continuous horizontal penetration or break characteristic of exterior walls constructed utilizing weep screeds of the prior art; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a wall illustrating two rows of courseable brick with a mortar seam there between and moisture dissipation elements of a weep screed periodically exposed along that seam.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating a first embodiment of the weep screed 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, the weep screed 10 includes a mounting or attachment flange 12 and a moisture collector 14. Moisture dissipation elements in the form of projecting tabs 16 are provided at spaced locations along the moisture collector 14.

As illustrated, the moisture collector 14 between the moisture dissipating elements or projecting tabs 16 is recessed. Accordingly a space is provided adjacent and between the moisture dissipation elements 16 for receiving an exterior wall construction material overlying at least a portion of the moisture collector 14 (note non-courseable stone 36 in mortar bed 38 illustrated in FIG. 2 a). That portion 17 of the moisture collector 14 forms a backer for the exterior wall construction material. The aesthetic significance of this construction will be discussed in greater detail below.

The weep screed 10 may be constructed from any appropriate material including metal such as aluminum, galvanized steel and copper, polymers such as ABS, polyvinylchloride, polyolefins and polyesters as well as composite materials; that are combinations of a reinforcing material such as glass fibers and a matrix binder. The mounting flange 12 and moisture collector 14 define an included angle of between about 30° and about 150° and more typically about 90°. In one possible embodiment, the moisture collector 14 and the moisture dissipating elements or projecting tabs 16 are lined with a moisture wicking material. Such a moisture wicking material may be made, for example, from woven or nonwoven polyester, polypropylene, polypropylene nylon or polyethylene. The moisture wicking material liner is illustrated by reference numeral 18 in the drawing figure.

An exterior wall construction incorporating the weep screed 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the exterior wall construction includes a bottom plate 20 mounted by anchor bolt and cooperating fastener 22 to the poured concrete foundation 24. Insulation 26 is provided between the interior wall covering 28 and the exterior sheathing 30. The weep screed 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is then secured to this sheathing 30. This may be accomplished by driving nails through the mounting flange 12 into the sheathing 30. The weep screed 10 is typically placed a minimum of 4 inches above the earth grade G or 2 inches above a paved area.

A water impervious wrap or liner 32 is then provided over the sheathing 30 and secured in position by staples or other appropriate means. The liner 32 also laps the mounting flange 12 of the weep screed 10. Next a screen or lath 34 is secured to the sheathing 30 over the liner 32 again by staples or other appropriate fasteners. Manufactured stone 36 is then secured in position on a bed of mortar 38 provided over the lath 34 and over the backing portion or face 17 of the moisture collector 14.

A second embodiment of weep screed 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As illustrated, the weep screed 40 includes a mounting flange 42 and a moisture collector 44 comprising an open top trough. The trough 44 includes a bottom wall 46 incorporating a drain hole 48. A moisture dissipation element such as a weep rope 50, made, for example, from a cotton sash cord or from cotton lamp wick material, is received and held in the drain hole. The open top of the trough 44 is closed by a mortar stop 52 made from a water pervious material such as geocomposite filter fabrics (a nonwoven, needle punched polypropylene filter fabric) or geogrid (a twisted-wire plastic mesh) faced with filter fabric. The face 47 of the collector or trough 44 serves as a backer for the overlying exterior wall construction material.

A building construction incorporating the weep screed 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The exterior wall 60 includes a base plate 62 fastened by a cooperating anchor bolt and fastener 64 to a poured concrete foundation 66. Insulation 68 is provided between an interior wall covering 70 and exterior sheathing 72.

The weep screed 40 is secured to the exterior sheathing 72 by driving nails or other appropriate fasteners through the mounting flange 42 into the sheathing. A water impervious wrap or liner 74 is provided over this sheathing 72 with the bottom thereof overlapping the mounting flange 42 of the weep screed 40. A lath 76 is secured to the sheathing 72 over the liner 74. Manufactured stone 78 is then secured on the sheathing 72 in a bed of mortar 80.

It should be appreciated that the weep screed 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides a continuous moisture collector 14 while the second weep screed embodiment 40 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 provides a continuous moisture collector/trough 44. These continuous moisture collectors 14, 44 collect by gravity any moisture which permeates the exterior wall construction material. The exterior wall construction material is illustrated as manufactured stone 36, 78 in the drawing figures but could also be brick, natural stone, stucco, tile or the like. The moisture collected in the moisture collector 14 is then wicked by the moisture wicking liner 18 to the moisture dissipating elements 16 which project through the manufactured stone 36 at spaced locations (See FIGS. 2 and 6). Similarly, moisture from the moisture collector 44 is drawn through the drain hole 48 to the weep rope 50. The weep rope 50 is exposed at spaced locations through the manufactured stone 78 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) to dissipate this moisture.

Advantageously, the weep screeds 10, 40 both provide for efficient and effective moisture dissipation without requiring the presence of a continuous horizontal penetration or break line (compare FIGS. 5 and 6). More specifically, the weep screed 10 of the first embodiment includes a moisture collector 14 that is recessed relative to the moisture dissipation elements 16 thus providing a space adjacent the moisture dissipation element for receiving an exterior wall construction material that overlies and is backed by a portion 17 of the moisture collector. Similarly, the weep screed 40 allows for the placement of manufactured stone 78 between the spaced weep ropes 50. Accordingly, both of the weep screeds embodiments 10, 40 of the present invention eliminate the continuous horizontal penetration or break of the prior art illustrated in FIG. 5 and thereby provide a more aesthetically pleasing and natural look.

It should also be appreciated that the weep screeds of the present invention may also be used to advantage with a courseable exterior wall construction material such as actual or simulated bricks B (see FIG. 7). Two courses of brick B are illustrated in that figure with a seam S provided between them. The moisture dissipation elements or weep ropes 50 of the weep screeds 40 of the present invention may project through the wall at the seam S in order to dissipate water from behind the wall.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way. 

1. A weep screed for dissipating moisture from an exterior wall finish made from an exterior wall construction material, comprising: a mounting flange; a moisture collector carried by said mounting flange; and a moisture dissipation element carried on said moisture collector; said weep screed being characterized by said moisture collector being recessed relative to said moisture dissipation element so as to provide a space adjacent said moisture dissipation element for receiving exterior wall construction material overlying an exterior wall construction material backing portion of said moisture collector.
 2. The weep screed of claim 1 wherein said moisture dissipation element is a projecting tab on said moisture collector.
 3. The weep screed of claim 2 wherein said moisture collector and said projecting tab include a liner made from a moisture wicking material.
 4. The weep screed of claim 3 wherein said mounting flange and said moisture collector define an included angle of between about 30 and about 150 degrees.
 5. The weep screed of claim 3, wherein said mounting flange and said moisture collector define an included angle of about 90 degrees.
 6. The weep screed of claim 1, wherein said moisture collector comprises an open top trough.
 7. The weep screed of claim 6, wherein said trough includes a bottom wall and a drain hole.
 8. The weep screed of claim 7, wherein said moisture dissipation element is received and held in said drain hole.
 9. The weep screed of claim 8, wherein said moisture dissipation element is a weep rope.
 10. The weep screed of claim 9, further including a mortar stop closing said open top of said trough, said mortar stop being made from a water pervious material.
 11. A weep screed, comprising: a mounting flange; a continuous, recessed moisture collector carried by said mounting flange; and a discontinuous moisture dissipation element projecting outwardly from said moisture collector.
 12. The weep screed of claim 12 wherein said moisture collector includes an exterior wall construction material backing portion.
 13. A weep screed for dissipating moisture from an exterior wall finish made from an exterior wall construction material having at least two vertical courses of such material with a seam there between, the weep screed comprising: a mounting flange; a moisture collector carried by said mounting flange; and a moisture dissipation element carried on said moisture collector, said moisture dissipation element projecting within the seam between the at least two courses of wall construction material.
 14. The weep screed of claim 13, wherein said moisture dissipation element is made from a moisture wicking material.
 15. The weep screed of claim 14, wherein the mounting flange is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, galvanized steel and copper, polymers and composite materials.
 16. The weep screed of claim 15, wherein the moisture collector is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, galvanized steel and copper, polymers and composite materials.
 17. The weep screed of claim 16, wherein said moisture dissipation element is made from a moisture wicking material.
 18. The weep screed of claim 17, wherein said mounting flange and moisture collector define an included angle of between about 30° and about 150°.
 19. The weep screed of claim 18, wherein said mounting flange and moisture collector define an included angle of about 90°.
 20. A method of enhancing the appearance of an exterior wall by eliminating a continuous horizontal penetration characteristic of prior art weep screeds, comprising: providing a weep screed with a recessed moisture collector and spaced, projecting moisture dissipation elements wherein said recessed moisture collector is covered by exterior wall construction materials between said spaced, projecting moisture dissipation elements. 